TIL crimping a connector with wrong die size ruins the bond

Was wiring a Garmin G5 install on a Cessna 172 last Tuesday. Used a #16 die on a #20 pin by accident and it slipped right off during the pull test. Anyone else double check their dies every time now after a similar oops?

3 comments

3 Comments

henderson.wesley1mo ago

Caught myself doing the exact same thing on a G5 install last month. Now I keep the die chart taped right to my crimper so I have to look at it every time.

allen.ivan1mo ago

Man I used to think tape on the crimper was overkill, like just look at the chart once and you're good. But after I crossed up a die set on a CAT6 run last fall and had to re-terminate 48 jacks the next day, I get it. Having that chart right there keeps you honest every single time, especially when you're halfway through a rack and trying to move fast. It's saved me from at least two mistakes since I started doing the same thing.

eric7231mo ago

Stick a label maker strip right on the handle so it's always visible.